Cibo | The Verdict

By Marilynn McLachlan - 23 Feb 2016

Parnell , NZ
8 Images

It’s a 22-year-old secret and today, Listers, we’re letting the cat out of the bag. We’re talking Cibo.

When The Urban List team heard the restaurant had started a new express menu, we had to head down there and try it for ourselves. And, trust us, you’re going to want to try it too.

Situated in the old chocolate factory in Parnell, walking through the doors and into the restaurant feels a bit like entering another tranquil yet oddly delightful world. There’s a French feel with an Alice In Wonderland twist—black hand mirrors on pink floral walls, and a soothing fish pond in the terrace area. So soothing, in fact, we could probably have settled in for a few hours, so we focused on the word ‘express’ and didn’t allow ourselves to get too comfortable.

Owner Jeremy was there to greet us. He’s one of the original crew, who ended up buying Cibo around 15 years ago. Super-friendly, Jeremy is passionate about his restaurant and obviously takes great pride in it—as he should—it’s a beautiful space.

The new lunch menu has the option of two or three courses and is served up between midday and 4pm Monday to Friday.

While there are only four options for the entrée, it was difficult to choose what to eat. We tried the green power salad with green goddess dressing as well as the green peppercorn squid with peanut custard and green papaya salad. However, it was the free-range pork belly with Bali flavours, pineapple sambal and pulled pork doughnut that stole the show. You’ll suffer from serious fomo if you don’t order it and someone else does. You’ve been warned. Any of the entrée options can also be upsized to mains.

There were also four options for the mains, too. We happily chomped down on the Angus Pure eye fillet with oxtails sandwich, gremolata butter and parsnip as well as the crispy skinned fish with chipotle shrimp, minted pea salad with a prawn cracker. Both went down a treat. One of the team devoured the colourful beetroot summer garden—textures of beetroot, blackberry, horseradish with cacao soil and goat curd. She later rubbed her belly contentedly and commented it was a salad that was both scrumptious and filling enough for a main. A total win.

For those who stick around for dessert, there’s Talbot Forest five-year aged cheddar and a selection of Cibo treats. Of course we had to stay, and what a treat we got—a pavlova decorated with fresh fruit and jelly pieces, made with cream and mascarpone whipped together. The result? Probably the tastiest pavlova on the planet.

While we were there for lunch, Cibo also serves as a bar/restaurant in the evenings and can be booked for venues, including weddings.

Between the staff, the gorgeous venue and food, Cibo is a new Urban List fave and we’ll definitely be going back.

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By Marilynn McLachlan

Marilynn grew up in Auckland and when she’s not trawling through social media, she’s either reading, writing or eating her way around the City of Sails. She loves discovering something a little bit different, whether it’s a shop, a vintage item or a quirky bar. She dreams of becoming a health nut but the glass of Sauv that’s often in her hand means it’s unlikely to happen anytime soon.

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